More than half of women prefer chocolate to sex, a survey has claimed.

The poll by Cadbury said that while 87% of men would opt for sex, 52% of women would rather curl up with a bar of chocolate.

It quizzed more than 1,500 UK adults and quoted one fan of the sweet stuff as saying that chocolate provides "guaranteed pleasure... Chocolate never disappoints."

Both men (57%) and women (66%) were aware that chocolate enhances their mood.

The chocolate manufacturer highlighted research from the Department of Psychology, University of Wales, Swansea, into links between chocolate and endorphins, mood-enhancing chemicals which produce feelings of pleasure.

Cadbury - whose range of products includes Milk Tray and Flake - said more women than men (53% versus 38%) knew that chocolate releases endorphins.